Many of those who have already been lucky enough to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, argue that the Tokyo subway really deservedly be considered one of the most intricate underground systems in the world.
Why is that? After all, the point is not even that travelers will be surrounded everywhere by strange and unknown hieroglyphs. It's just that there are actually a lot of branches, and the number of people using this mode of transport only increases from year to year.
Is there even the slightest chance of not getting lost if you decide to take advantage of this very popular public transport in Japan? Yes, of course! As they say, we are not the first and we are not the last!
This article is just aimed at telling you in detail about the Tokyo subway. In addition, readers will receive a whole set of valuable tips and tricks.
General information
Not everyone knows that in terms of the number of passengers carried, the capital's Japanese subway is rightfully considered the largest on our planet. At first glance, it is even hard to imagine that about 10 million people use its services every day.
It should be noted that all the high-speed underground transport of the Land of the Rising Sun belongs to large companies. It turns out that each Tokyo metro station is on the balance sheet of one of two companies: Tokyo Metro and Toei. It should be noted that these networks are not interconnected in any way, which means that any traveler will have to work hard before learning how to navigate correctly and quickly, going underground.
Japan, Tokyo: subway and its history
In a few years, this transport system can safely celebrate its centenary. The Tokyo Underground Railway Company was established in 1920. Five years later, the first construction work began between Asakusa and Ueno stations. But the first high-speed trains along the branch were launched at the end of 1927. After another 12 years, the decision to connect the subway and commuter rail was made, which was accepted by both local residents and visitors to Tokyo with real enthusiasm.
Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd was founded in 2004. This corporation replaced the Teito Rapid Transit Authority. Now this private company owns 168 stations located on 9 lines.
The remaining 106 stations on 4 lines are owned by the Toei Municipal Transportation Authority, which also operates the city's surface transit system.
How not to get lost underground?
If you ever got your hands on the Tokyo subway map in Russian or any otherin an understandable language, you will never deny that it is unlikely that you will be able to quickly understand all these stations, branches and directions. According to travelers, at first it seems that you are actually going crazy trying to cover a huge flow of information.
However, the Japanese do everything possible (and sometimes impossible!) to provide guests with the maximum level of comfort. Stops here are announced not only in local, but also in English. The inscriptions on signs, plates and electronic displays of the Tokyo subway are also duplicated.
At the station, you can often read special recommendations advising which car it is better to take in order to continue the journey as comfortably and quickly as possible.
Among other things, all metro lines also differ in colors that match the outline drawn around the number. That is why even beginners will definitely not be able to get lost or confused.
Which tickets to buy for the trip?
As we noted above, there are two companies operating the Tokyo subway. The main inconvenience is represented by the inability to perform a direct transplant from one system to another. If necessary, passengers must go to the surface and purchase a new ticket from a special operator.
True, in recent years, integrated transport cards are beginning to use more and more popularity. By purchasing them, you can perform one transfer in any desired location.
Locals, in turn,prefer to purchase special electronic travel cards called PASMO. They give the right to make any number of trips in different directions.
By the way, you should pay attention to the fact that transferring from Tokyo Metro to Toei and vice versa should not take more than half an hour. Otherwise, the ticket will be canceled and you will have to buy a new one.
Interesting facts about the Tokyo subway
Many will agree that the subway of any single country is some kind of peculiar world, unlike life on the surface, or any other transport system of other states. And Japan, of course, is no exception.
Perhaps, only here there are special employees who help to get into the carriage of procrastinating negligent travelers.
By the way, the Japanese, having gone underground, try not to talk on a mobile phone, considering it in bad taste.
Some lines have special formulations for women or children only.
